Dynamics of ecological stability of small towns in Kyiv region

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive assessment and comparative analysis of the ecological balance of territories of the three key smalltowns in Kyiv region: Boyarka, Vyshneve and Irpin, as well as tracking the dynamics of ecological stability of the towns` territories in the system of general planning. The following indicators of anthropogenic transformation and natural protection of urban areas were calculatedaccording to known methodsbased on data available from the towns` new Master Plans: coefficients of anthro- pogenic impact, anthropogenic transformation, nature protection, and ecological stability, absolute and relative tension of the ecological and economic state. The rationality of general planning in terms of ecological balance of urban areas is estimated. The study established that the territory of the town Irpin is characterized by moderate anthropogenic impact, while Boyarka and Vyshneve demonstrated a high level of anthropogenic impact. The total area of the environmental fund on the territory of cities ranges from 13.9% (Vyshneve) to 47.5% (Irpin) of the total area of their territories, which is insufficient in all cases. Currently, the territory of Irpin is the most balanced in comparison with other towns. Implementation of the new Master Plans of the cities will improve the ecological balance of the Boyarka and Irpin areas; improvement in Boyarka will be notably extensive due to the expansion of the city boundaries by a threefold increase in the town`s area. The projected general development of Vyshneve will worsen the ecological balance of its territory, despite the foreseen expansion of its boundaries. The pressure from the ecological and economic status of the territories is not balanced by the degree of anthropogenic impact and the potential of the sustainability of nature. For the territory of towns, the potential for sustainability of nature is significantly exceeded and requires the expansion of the environment of a stabilizing group of lands. The areas of towns within the existing boundaries are environmentally unstable, the tensions in the ecological and economic conditions of the territories are not balanced, which testify to their ineffective organization. A significant correlation has been found between the calculated coefficients and the area percentage of the environmental fund of urban areas. The obtained data testifies to the expediency of using the indicated eco-geographical indicators within the system of general planning in order to optimize prospective solutions.